What is the SEER2 rating of the Thermal Zone TZID36H520ZCS?

The Thermal Zone TZID36H520ZCS is rated at up to 16.1 SEER2 and 10.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 12 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.1.

Is the Thermal Zone TZID36H520ZCS good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 27,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the Thermal Zone TZID36H520ZCS cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,048-$2,651 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,271 in Phoenix and $2,199 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.

Which indoor units work with the Thermal Zone TZID36H520ZCS?

ENERGY STAR lists 12 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use TZID36H520ZAM, TZID36H520ZACC, TZID36H520ZACB.

3-ton central heat pump · TZID Series

Thermal Zone TZID36H520ZCS

Below average cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #218 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,124 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 16.1 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 34%
HSPF2: 8.7 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 47%
EER2: 10.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 10%
Heat at 5°F: 27,000 BTU/h75% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 39%

A good fit if…

Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 27,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
You want a choice of indoor units - 12 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for central heat pumps.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications3 ton, R-454B

General
Brand	Thermal Zone
Outdoor unit model	TZID36H520ZCS
Series	TZID Series
Type	Central heat pump
Nominal size	3 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-454B
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	December 20, 2025
Last certified	May 1, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	16.1 (range 15.2-16.1)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	9.3-10.1
Cooling capacity	35,000-36,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	8.1-8.7
Capacity at 47°F	35,000-36,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	23,000-27,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	26,000-27,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.80-2.00
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder75% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with TZID36H520ZAM at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups12 indoor units

The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

Indoor unit	Furnace	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
TZID36H520ZAM · cold climate	-	16.1	10.0	8.7	27,000	218043399
TZID36H520ZACC · cold climate	RL18100C20MPS1	15.7	10.1	8.5	26,000	218079847
TZID36H520ZACC · cold climate	S9V2C100U5VS***	15.6	9.9	8.5	26,000	218079758
TZID36H520ZACC · cold climate	S9V2C100D5VS***	15.6	9.9	8.5	26,000	218079757
TZID36H520ZACC · cold climate	RL18100C16MPS1	15.6	10.0	8.4	26,000	218079846
TZID36H520ZACC · cold climate	RL18080C16MPS1	15.6	9.6	8.3	26,000	218079845
TZID36H520ZACC · cold climate	ML296UH110XV60C*	15.5	9.9	8.5	26,000	218079951
TZID36H520ZACB · cold climate	RL18080B12MPS1	15.4	9.3	8.2	26,000	218079844
TZID36H520ZACB · cold climate	MGV96U060B3C	15.4	9.5	8.2	26,000	218079692
TZID36H520ZACC · cold climate	RG19080C16MPS1	15.4	9.5	8.1	26,000	218079826
TZID36H520ZACC · cold climate	S9V2C080U5VS***	15.3	9.8	8.6	26,000	218079756
TZID36H520ZACB · cold climate	RG19080B12MPS1	15.2	9.3	8.4	27,000	218079825

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,048-$2,651

Phoenix, AZ$1,271/yr
Miami, FL$1,048/yr
Houston, TX$1,139/yr
Atlanta, GA$1,124/yr
Los Angeles, CA$1,087/yr
New York, NY$2,651/yr
Chicago, IL$2,146/yr
Denver, CO$1,779/yr
Seattle, WA$1,089/yr
Minneapolis, MN$2,199/yr

At each state's average electricity price and the city's typical heating and cooling hours.

Questions5

What is the SEER2 rating of the Thermal Zone TZID36H520ZCS?: The Thermal Zone TZID36H520ZCS is rated at up to 16.1 SEER2 and 10.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 12 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.1.
Is the Thermal Zone TZID36H520ZCS good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 27,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the Thermal Zone TZID36H520ZCS cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,048-$2,651 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,271 in Phoenix and $2,199 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
Which indoor units work with the Thermal Zone TZID36H520ZCS?: ENERGY STAR lists 12 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use TZID36H520ZAM, TZID36H520ZACC, TZID36H520ZACB.
What refrigerant does the Thermal Zone TZID36H520ZCS use?: It uses R-454B.

Running cost and savings

Pre-filled with this model. Pick your city and what you heat with today; everything else is optional.

Heat pump $1,251/yrYou save $606/yrSee details ↓

1. Where you live

StateCityElectricity ¢ per kWh

Adjust heating and cooling hours

Filled in from your city's climate. Change them if you run the system much more or less than usual.

Cooling hours full-load hours per yearHeating hours full-load hours per year

2. The heat pump Thermal Zone TZID36H520ZCS

Find a model (fills in the ratings below)

SEER2 cooling efficiencyHSPF2 heating efficiencyCooling capacity BTU/hHeating capacity BTU/h

3. What it replaces

Current heatingFurnace efficiency (AFUE %)Gas price, $/thermCurrent coolingOld AC rating SEER2 (10 ≈ 15+ years old)

4. Price replace the example with your quote

Installed price, $Rebates and incentives, $ utility, state

Heat pump, per year: $1,251
Current system, per year: $1,856
You save per year: $606
Payback: 22.3 years
Net after 10 years: -$7,443

Cooling $787Heating $463Electricity used: 7,816 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $173

Estimates use the unit's rated SEER2 and HSPF2, full-load hours derived from NOAA 1991-2020 degree days, average residential electricity prices from the U.S. EIA (12 months to July 2026) and fuel prices from EIA (2025 for natural gas, week of 2026-10-05 for propane and heating oil). Very cold days that need backup heat are not modelled. Federal minimum for comparison: 14.3 SEER2 / 7.5 HSPF2.

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See all 302 3 ton central heat pumps, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of May 1, 2026. How we use the data.